Israel’s first-ever live broadcast with astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) will take place today (October 24). The live video linkup will connect high school and university students gathered at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem with Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano.

Parmitano has been aboard the space station for 166 days and has conducted numerous experiments on behalf of the European Space Agency (ESA). The in-flight call with the International Space Station (ISS) was initiated by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Israel Space Agency.

Students will hear about life in space and will be able to ask questions.

Two years ago, the European Space Agency asked the Israel Space Agency for permission to name the supply vehicle after Albert Einstein. The Israel Space Agency relayed the request to the Hebrew University, which Einstein co-founded and to which he bequeathed his writings, intellectual heritage and image. The Hebrew University agreed to the request without asking for royalties.

In June 2013, the European Space Agency sent the Einstein space vehicle to resupply the space station. In addition to tons of supplies, the vehicle included documents borrowed from the Hebrew University’s Einstein Archives, which will be signed by the astronauts and returned to earth.

The event will also be transmitted live to Italy and Germany.

The public can watch a live feed of the event at http://bit.ly/16uKxyn.

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Viva Sarah Press reports on the creativity, innovation and ingenuity taking place in Israel. Her work has been published by international media outlets including Israel Television, CNN, Reuters, Time Out and The Jerusalem Post.